U-M Regents approve $26.1 million indoor football facility

The University of Michigan Board of Regents on Thursday approved a new $26.1 million indoor football practice facility that will provide a safer practice environment for players.
The new facility, which will in the future be used instead of Oosterbaan Fieldhouse, is expected to be built adjacent to Schembechler Hall, will include approximately 104,000 square feet, will be built on an existing outdoor field and is expected to include an full-sized football field, lobby, restrooms and storage space.
Funding for the project will be provided from athletic department resources and gifts.
"This is just part of the many facilities we have undertaken and will undertake in the future," Michigan athletic director Bill Martin said in a prepared statement. "This is a continuing process as we need to update the facilities on our athletic campus to today's standards."
Regents also voted the appointment of Jickling Lyman Powell Associates as the design architect. University officials hope to break ground on the facility by Dec. 1 with a target date for its completion set at Jan. 1, 2009, according to associate athletic director for facilities Mike Stevenson.
The facility, Stevenson said, will also be used by seven other varsity sports as well as club sports, making Michigan one of the few universities nationwide to have two indoor facilties.
When told of the Regent's approval, an ecstatic Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr called Thursday " a great day for University of Michigan football."
For complete coverage, read Friday's Ann Arbor News.